Overview & Reviews

The Saturn brand, which was part of General Motors, has been discontinued as of the 2009 model year. Though popular in its early years, Saturn suffered from poor sales and was shuttered as part of GM's bankruptcy reorganization.

Despite its sad end, Saturn started with a bright future. After losing market share to Japanese imports during the '80s, General Motors launched Saturn, a new division that began selling small, low-priced cars in 1990. The division promoted itself as "different," with Saturn dealers offering no-haggle pricing and friendly customer service.

Saturn made its debut with the S Series line of vehicles. Available in sedan, coupe and wagon configurations, these Saturns differentiated themselves from other GM products with all-new platforms and flexible plastic panels meant to resist denting. Additionally, the brand was granted its own plant, with all Saturns being built at a dedicated facility in Spring Hill, Tennessee. These first Saturns weren't exactly built to burn rubber; they were powered by engines that offered from 85-124 horsepower. The payoff, though, was that these were among the most fuel-efficient vehicles of their day, offering up to 40 miles per gallon (when equipped with a manual transmission).

Just after the brand's conception, GM boasted that Saturn vehicles would benefit from rapid evolution, but in the early years, this wasn't the case. The brand's vehicles saw only one redesign in their first decade of existence. The revamp took place in the mid-'90s, and for the most part, it was only skin deep. Exteriors were spruced up and interior room saw a slight increase.

The Saturn brand enjoyed some success in its earliest years, fueled by buyers who were in love with its unique approach to customer relations that included "no-haggle" pricing. By the turn of the century, though, the novelty had worn off. With dated platforms and a limited range of products, the marque was neglected by GM, and disappointing sales figures showed that buyers had taken note and chosen to spend their dollars elsewhere.

GM responded by ramping up its commitment to the Saturn brand. In 2000, it rolled out the L Series; sharing a platform and an engine with the Opel Vectra (one of GM's European products) the sedan was the opening salvo in GM's ultimately futile fight to resuscitate the struggling brand. An SUV, the Vue, was unveiled, as was a minivan, the Relay. The S Series was replaced by the lamentable Ion, which was available as a sedan and a coupe. GM also added a hybrid to the lineup, with the introduction of the Saturn Vue Green Line.

Later, Saturn included the sporty Sky roadster, the midsize Aura sedan, the compact second-generation Vue crossover and the full-size Outlook crossover. For a brief period, there was also the European-sourced Astra compact hatchback.

Despite the increase in product quality, however, the Saturn brand effectively collapsed in 2009. As part of GM's bankruptcy proceedings, Saturn was offered up for sale. Initially, it was believed that the Penske Corporation would take over Saturn. But the deal fell through at the last minute, thereby spelling the final end for GM's import-fighting experiment.

User Reviews:

• 

  Keeps going at 80k miles - 2004 Saturn ION
  By wowd - June 13 - 4:40 pm

  I bought the saturn only because of 0% and it seemed "sporty". My wife loves the car. It is averaging 32mpg at 80-85mph on highway. Only been to shop once with a bad bearing. Still has plenty of pep, and handles great. Took on a 2000 mile trip, came back and had to buy another car. It was very uncomfortable on a long ride, great for commute though. My wife feels very secure and comfortable driving 35 miles each way to work. At 80k, still no shakes, rattles,or noises. Very impressed. Looking for car to make at least 200k miles, only money put in has been oil changes and had to replace tires at 30k. I bought good tires, andthey have 50k. Looking to go to 70k

• 

  Disappointed - 2007 Saturn ION
  By Virgiinia - June 13 - 10:00 am

  Just purchased a preowned vehicle and only had it for a little over a month and have on four occasions trouble with the electric power steering. Left it at Nissan today and sending it to General Motors to be fixed. I like the Ion very much and hope the power steering can be fixed. I understand that this has been a problem with the Saturn ION

• 

  I love my Ion 3 Quad Coupe!! - 2007 Saturn ION
  By Mark - June 13 - 10:00 am

  There are a lot of bad reviews for the Saturn Sedan but I totally love my Ion 3 Coupe. Bought it new and just passed 60K miles and not a problem yet. Good performance. 37 mpg highway (at 70 mph). Beautiful paint and finish, and I love the plastic body panels - no dings or dents - although there is more road noise because of the plastic. The interior design is only fair due to cup holder location. Plastic interior looks cheap. XM radio is great! On- Star is superb but costs too much.

• 

  Worst Car Ever - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By 2002vue1229 - June 12 - 9:31 am

  One month after purchasing this car the engine light and wrench light came on. The DRLs will turn off and on randomly, the horn will come on randomly and wont shut off. Now the vehicle wont start. I shut it off at home and the next day it wouldnt start. This happened once before and I had to reset the security system and it worked, now nothing will work. I dont know what to do with this junk. Dont buy this car!!!

• 

  alternative to CR-V - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By BadgerBacker - June 11 - 8:36 am

  After seriously considering the CR-V and Element from Honda, the option to get a Honda-made V6 renewed our interest in the Vue. This is our second Saturn (98 SL2), and I can say that the designers have improved on earlier deficiencies- better soundproofing. Nice gauge cluster with aluminum trim. Center controls (small buttons) will be tested with winter gloves - but probably not too much, as the heat is quick & heated seats are toasty. Its a quality car for the money. Im hoping for Honda gas mileage, but not seeing it yet (21 ave MPG). Roomy rear seats, easy to fold down, cargo bin functional, but seems cheap (plastic interior comments are true, but its not a Lexus); tight ride.

• 

  Another happy Saturn VUE owner - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By caseas - June 11 - 5:53 am

  This is a great vehicle. Very quiet with plenty of zip. Very comfortable ride. I think its one of the best kept secrets in the small-mid size SUV range.

• 

  Its a love/hate kind of thing - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By Desiree - June 10 - 1:53 pm

  I feel in love with this car when I wasnt even car shopping. I had to have it! I purchased mine about a year ago and its been in the shop 8 times already! The check engine light and battery light are always on and the dealership cant seem to fix it and he convertible top and weather stripping have been replaced twice! It is indeed a head turner but its also become my worst nightmare!

• 

  Dont Buy GM! - 2007 Saturn ION
  By Outraged - June 9 - 4:50 pm

  Purchased brand new. This car is beyond fixable. To start, had problems with the knocking noise coming from rear, never repaired, radio went out under warranty, wheel bearings went out, power steering goes out intermittently even after having repaired just 6 mos ago. Car now will not shut off! GM wants to act as if they arent associated with the vehicle but its one of their products. Needless to say, Ill never buy an American made car again!

• 

  Jasons Car - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Jason Fitzgerald - June 9 - 5:43 am

  Great car to drive, very gas efficient. It still has pretty good pickup even though it is a sedan.

• 

  Surprises everyone - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By DerekTJ - June 7 - 8:16 am

  Bought this for my wife on July 16th, and we have been nothing but overly impressed over the last month we have owned it. I just got back from a lengthy road trip to visit family, and in addition to being a great car to take on a road trip because of its superb merging/passing power, ample room, solid handeling, super smooth, comfy ride, and great stereo, everyone that saw it was impressed, as well... and this is from people who normally drive BMW and Lexus. We got the white XR with the tan leather interior, and its a sophisticated look that even the teenager it the house thinks is cool. With the sharp European looks and great ride, I feel its the best kept secret in town.